N. E. Patriots and United Way teamed up for neighborhood development

The Patriots players worked alongside staff from UWMB-affiliate agency ESAC, the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development and teenage volunteers from YouthBuild Boston to improve the conditions of a 125-year old Mattapan house owned by Barbara Jones. The players and volunteers worked to make the home more handicap-accessible for Mrs. Jones, who has been living with Multiple Sclerosis for 26 years.

Projects that took place on October 18 included:

* Building a handicap ramp over Mrs. Jones’s front stairs
* Repairing the chain-link fence that surrounds the property
* Cleaning up the yard

“The Patriots have proven themselves champions on the field,” said Milton J. Little, Jr., president and chief executive officer of United Way of Massachusetts Bay. “Their participation in this project exemplifies their team spirit off the field and in the community.”

"The Patriots are proud to partner with the United Way for Hometown Huddle for the sixth consecutive year," said Rena Clark, vice president of community affairs and corporate philanthropy for the New England Patriots. "Through Hometown Huddle, the Patriots and United Way have had the opportunity to jointly impact the lives of citizens throughout Boston. This year's project [is] especially memorable, as we [worked] together to create a safer and more easily accessible home for a member of our community."

The NFL and United Way partnership is the most visible and longest running charitable collaboration of its kind. Hometown Huddle is a NFL-wide day of service that provides NFL players and coaches from each team the opportunity to take part in a variety of community-service activities, including building homes for low-income families and visiting local military bases. Started in 1999 by the NFL and United Way, Hometown Huddle continues to help make a difference in communities across the country.